Stephen F. Austin
New Mexico Collegiate Classic
Payne Prevails in National Pole Vault Battle
2/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Complete Results (PDF)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In one of the most anticipated women’s pole-vaulting showdowns in recent NCAA history, Stephen F. Austin’s Demi Payne outlasted two previous NCAA record holders and a strong 41-woman field to win her fourth straight individual title at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on Saturday afternoon. She won the event with a 15-3.50 (4.66m) vault.
As expected, Payne found herself in a battle with Sandi Morris of Arkansas and Kaitlin Petrillose of Texas in the late stages of Saturday’s competition. The event marked the first time that the decorated trio faced off in 2015. Both Payne and Morris entered into the fray at 14-3.50 (4.36m) and cleared on their first attempts. The pair left Petrillose, the 2014 NCAA indoor pole vault champion, behind at the next bar set at 14-7.50 (4.46m).
Payne went up and over 14-11.50 (4.56m) and 15-3.50 (4.66m) on her first runs while Morris failed to surpass the latter height. With victory securely in her hands, Payne raised the bar to a new NCAA record height of 15-7.25 (4.76m) but just narrowly missed in three cracks at breaking her own record.
Though not claiming her fourth NCAA record of 2015, Payne now owns five of the top six jumps in collegiate history with her performance at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The SFA 4x400 meter relay teams also had big afternoons in New Mexico on Saturday. The men’s group of Shawn Goff, Joshua Taylor, My'Lik Kerley, Cass Brown-Stewart and Tedrick Hawkins set a school indoor record with a time of 3:09.07, going under the previous standard of 3:10.00 set in 2012. The time was good enough for a second place showing of 13 teams, behind only the unit from Texas Tech (3:07.72).
The women’s relay finished sixth of 18 teams after posting a time of 3:44.26. Jessica Hatchett, DeJernel Jordan, Chasity Clark, Brarysheyia Simpson and Keshia Tryon were all marked down to compete in the event for SFA.
La'Tricia Griffin followed up her third place women’s weight throw on Friday with a fifth place effort in the women’s shot put on Saturday. Her top throw was measured at 14.35 meters – her best mark of the season.
The Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks will now begin preparation for the Southland Conference Championships in Birmingham, Alabama on Feb. 16-17. Both the men and women are seeking their first SLC titles since the 2013 season.
-SFA-
